June 18 Obituaries

June 17, 2004

Henry Forrer, 72
Mr. Henry Forrer, 72, of Lubbock, formerly of Dora, died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at Bender Terrace Nursing Home in Lubbock.
He was born on Dec. 19, 1931, in Bryan, Texas, to Dollie and Jeff Forrer.
He grew up in the area of Bryan, Texas. He first came to eastern New Mexico in 1962. He married Deana Davis on July 21, 1963. They both enjoyed traveling and living in different places. They lived in New Mexico, Florida, Washington and Vermont. He worked at whatever type job he could find at the time. Through the years he drove trucks and buses, worked in road construction, worked as a carpenter and did various other types of work.
Family members said he enjoyed tinkering with machines and liked to play with his children and grandchildren. He could often be found on the ground with the little ones playing with their toys building roads and simulating other jobs. He enjoyed teasing and joking and was fond of visiting with his many friends. He was a member of the Dora Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jeff Forrer; and three sisters.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Mark Forrer (Carmen) of Dalhart, Texas; a daughter, Valarie Watson (Terry) of Pep; eight grandchildren, Patricia Dotson, Tracy Christoff, Teddy Zachary, Sammy Joe Watson, Sadler and Kendra Hair and Robert and Amanda Forrer; four great-grandchildren, Lezley and Kara Dotson, Jarrett Christoff and Faith Elizabeth Forrer; and a brother, Johnny Forrer of Houston.
Troy Wilkie will officiate the services, assisted by Gary Simpson.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Dora Church of Christ. Burial will be at Mount Zion Cemetery near Dora.
Pallbearers are Jerry Siewert, Bennie Carty, Mickey Burkett, Teddy Zachary, Eldin Merrick and Randy Lieb.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Esther Morrison, 92
Mrs. Esther Morrison, 92, of Potales, died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at Farwell Convalescent Center.
She was born on Sept. 17, 1911, in Weatherford, Texas, to Elsie and Pete Partin.
She grew up in the Granbury area and made her home there until 1991 when she moved to Portales. She married Ervan Morrison on Oct. 15, 1955, in Weatherford, Texas. She was a member of the Baptist Church. She worked in a clothing factory for many years as a seamstress. Family members said she enjoyed fiddle music, dancing and fishing. One of her favorite foods was watermelon.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Agnes Anderson and Lois Williams; and by her husband.
Survivors include a step-son, Leon Morrison (and wife, Pat) of Pecan Plantation, Granbury, Texas; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Allen W. “Buck” Partin (Eva) of Portales; a sister, Opal McCown (Bill) of Bullhead City, Ariz; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Portales Cemetery. Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Jim Chandler will officiate the services.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Hazel Townsend, 82
Hazel Dell Townsend, 82, of Albuquerque, died Thursday, April 29, 2004, in Albuquerque.
She was born on April 16, 1922, in Rotan, Texas, to J.E. and Ina Jewell Tucker.
Her family moved to Portales in 1930. She graduated from high school in 1940. She married Ted Townsend in 1942. She received a degree from Eastern New Mexico University in 1946 and taught school in Portales for one year before moving to Lovington. She earned a master’s degree in elementary education from ENMU in 1960 and taught second grade in Lovington for 35 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority.
She was preceded in death by her husband; and an infant son.
Survivors include a daughter, Panda D. Hughes of Albuquerque; a grandson, Gary Kidd of Las Cruces; and a sister LaVet Stevens of Roseville, Calif.
Cremation has taken place.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Portales Cemetery. Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Burial service is by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Arrangements were by French Mortuary of Albuquerque.